Prime Minister Narendra Modi is paying a State Visit to Namibia. On the occasion, the President of Namibia, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah conferred on Prime Minister the highest civilian award of Namibia - Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis. He is the first Indian leader to be given this award.
Accepting the award, PM Modi dedicated the honor to the 1.4 billion people of India and to the historic and enduring ties between India and Namibia. PM Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Nandi-Ndaitwah and the people of Namibia for the accolade.
The conferment of the award on Prime Minister is a milestone in the bilateral ties between India and Namibia and stands as a font of inspiration for the younger generations in both countries to take this special bilateral partnership to greater heights.
PM Modi addresses the Parliament of Namibia
Prime Minister Modi has also addressed the Parliament of Namibia.
After receiving Namibia's highest honour, PM Modi said, "This highest civilian award is a symbol of friendship between the people of the two countries."
He said, "It is a matter of great honour for me to receive Namibia's highest civilian honour. This is a symbol of friendship between the people of our two countries."
Referring to the Namibian plant 'Welwichia Mirabilis', Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that "Like the strong and beautiful plants of Namibia, our friendship has also stood the test of time."
"Like your national plant Welwitschia Mirabilis, this friendship has also grown stronger with time."